Side Trim

Can someone help?

When reading the CMC and JPS manuals regarding the side trim at the belt line, they both seem to refer to what seems to be the application of trim with an adhesive backing.

The trim pieces I have, however, do not have any backing and are formed aluminium strip. Can anyone tell me how I am supposed to apply these to the body? Are there some special clips I should be using?

Cheers,

Jim.

You can buy OEM style side trim that uses mechanical fasteners.

Jim
Vintage has them as well as many VW suppliers they are the same as the OEM plastic clips for the type 1 Beetle side moldings.

I recently did mine this past weekend, got them from Kirk at VS, they look very nice. More time its spent measuring the exact location than installing them. I used screws and nuts instead of the regular plastic mounts for a more secure and tight fit, I can give you more details if you go this way... Ill try to put a pix on mi file as sun as we get a sunny day down here - cheers

The plastic clips are available at places like CIP1.com. I needed them for the GHIA. NOTE: The clips go in the holes first, then the trim is SLID onto the clips carefully so that you do not bend them or scratch the car. I tried sliding the clips into the trim then pounding (softly) into the holes. Does not work!

On the Speedster I used automotive trim bought at Canadian Tire (like AutoZone, but bigger) and stuck it on the car. Used a chalk line to mark the trim line. Beautiful and sticks like stink.

When putting on trim, keep it level, follow the curve of the car...

My CMC came with a roll of chromed plastic stuff that you use on a junker to stop door dings. It had sticky tape on the back. I trashed the stuff. If yours have a flat back surface (more solid than formed) you can buy trim mounting tape (3M) from an auto paint shop. If you clean body of wax and silicon it will stick forever.

Jim,
I got those from vintage.

Ben

the stock plastic OEM style clips have a hard time staying in the kit car bodies since they were designed for a much thinner steel wall. The screw and nut idea is a good one. John stelle sells the best looking and funtioning system ive seen so far.

Scott, the solution is put a dab of "Thick" epoxy resin on the end of the shaft, and push it firmly into the correct sized aperature, and it will stay very well, thank you


Gclarke "The vacaville Guy"

Man, this thread is one great reason for belonginjg to this site. You guys just handled this guy's Q. with alllll the info he needs.

JJ, your job looks clean. Nice looking Speedy!

epoxy works but those clips usually last once or twice before they break or get so worn that they no longer hold. Im a big fan of useing things the way they were designed to be used.

How many times do you remove chrome during ownership ? I usually put it on and leave it......

Gclarke

never owned a speedster- i just build them. Have owned a couple show cars that used the same style clips on vw's. Once or twice a year when i would detail the car all the trim would come off to buff the car. Theres more ways than one to do it. Im just telling you whats worked best for me.

Question for George Brown:
Speaking of side molding, your Speedster has beautiful billet looking moldings. I especially like how the breaks at the doors are treated.

Are these available from CMC? or do you know of another source?

If they aren't too pricey, I like to replace the molding on my Speedster with same as yours.

Greg B.

Greg

Henry has them and yes they do look great!